Early Intervention Overview

Overview of Early Intervention

The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the nationwide EIP.Infants and Toddlers under the ages of 3 years old, who reside in New York State, that have a diagnosed disability with a high probability of developmental delays, or an established developmental delay are eligible.

A disability means that a child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high chance of resulting in a delay. These include, but are not limited to, autism, Down syndrome, motor disorders, or vision and hearing problems. Appendix B provides a list of these conditions and indicates the licensed professionals qualified to diagnose these conditions under New York State education law.

A developmental delay means that the child is behind in at least one area of development. The delay as measured by tests must be at least a 33% or 12-month delay or a score of 2 standard deviations below the mean in one area of development, or a 25% delay or score of 1.5 standard deviations below the mean in at least 2 areas of development.

For children who have
been found to have a delay only in the communication domain, delay shall be
defined as a score of 2.0 standard deviations below the mean in the area of
communication; or, if no standardized test is available or appropriate for the
child, or the tests are inadequate to accurately represent the child's
developmental level in the informed clinical opinion of the evaluator, a delay
in the area of communication shall be a severe delay or marked regression in
communication development as determined by specific qualitative evidence-based
criteria articulated in clinical practice guidelines issued by the Department.